The Screenhouse Tent by Kelty can be used as a primary shelter or as your family's primary camping tent--how you use it primarily depends on the season and where you live.

The best use of the Screenhouse 12 and 10 shelters is during the summertime: mosquitoes are kept out, its bay windows permit excellent circulation, and it's spacious enough to stretch out without feeling cramped.

Kelty Screenhouse Reviews

The Kelty Screenhouse Shelter Fully Pitched

Both the Kelty 10 Screenhouse and 12 Shelters can fit over a picnic table to provide a comfortable space to eat, or they can be your family's primary camping tent.

It can easily perform either function thanks to numerous thoughtful features, including:

Large, mesh windows provide panoramic views

Drop-down window shades allow you to choose the amount of privacy you prefer

Lamp hook provides a safe place for a lantern

Aluminum tent poles keeps the shelter sturdy and upright in high winds

The bottom line is this: your family cannot go wrong with purchasing a Kelty 10 or 12 Screenhouse.

Few screen tents provide as many useful features at such a low cost.

For Camping Tent Reviews, the fact that Kelty includes aluminum tent poles is the deal breaker--after all, why invest in your family's camping experience if the poles are a cheap, fiberglass material that will snap at a moment's notice?

Kelty Screenhouse Tents: Advantages

The Screenhouse 12 is large enough to cover a picnic table and Kelty hopes your family will do just that.

It provides the best protection from mosquitoes while camping with your family, while also being large enough to lounge in during major rain storms.

The fact that the Screenhouse 10 and 12 come with aluminum tent poles as opposed to fiberglass raises the bar on camping shelters.

This portable tents appeal is increased even more thanks to it being an 'easy-up shelter': the last thing you want to do is spend an hour setting up your shelter when that time could be better spent with your family.

Large vertical walls with massive bay windows makes it seem as if there's nothing separating you from the outdoors.

Finally, if the campground is crowded or if you'd like a romantic dinner, just pull down the shades and you'll be in your own little world.

Kelty Screenhouse Shelters: Disadvantages

There are two significant drawbacks to the Screenhouse.

First, when the lantern hook is in use it can cause a small leak. Since the lantern hook is a specific appeal to a portable shelter, consumers must be aware of this disadvantage before purchasing.

Second, there's no floor. While all portable screen tents lack a floor, the Screenhouse would greatly improve by having this accessory available for those that want to use it for tent camping.

Even though you can always lay a tarp down, you still run the risk of spiders and bugs creeping inside during the night.